Interesting Facts About the Greater Horseshoe Bat

The Greater Horseshoe Bat, or rhinolophus ferrumequinum, is a species of bat native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. Its name is derived from the horseshoe shaped membrane around the nose of the bat which amplifies ultrasonic calls emitted when searching for food.

  1. Physical description

    • Greater Horseshoe bats have light grey or brown fur which is fluffy in texture. The bat averages a total body length of approximately 3 to 4 inches, with an average wingspan of approximately 7 to 9 inches. Horseshoe bats are easily identifiable when roosting, for the manner in which they wrap their wings tightly around their bodies. The bat is distinguishable from the Lesser Horseshoe bat by its larger dimensions.

    Habitat

    • Greater Horseshoe bats inhabit forest and open agricultural areas. In the spring and early summer the bats predominantly occupy woodland and pastures close to wooded areas, then in the summer months tends to favor more open pastures. The species hibernates in caves and similar structures between the months of October and May, usually in large colonies.

    Behavior

    • Outside of hibernation, the Greater Horseshoe bat spends much of its time hunting for food. The bat has a tendency to emerge from its roost just after sunset in order to hunt, and will usually fly relatively slowly and close to the ground along a regular route. In spring, the bat may partake in a second hunting flight at dawn. Each flight will usually last for approximately 30 minutes.

    Diet

    • The Greater Horseshoe bat primarily preys upon small to medium sized insects such as moths, beetles and flies, identified using echolocation. The bat drinks while hovering or alternatively during its low level flying. Its diet during winter depends largely upon the foraging activity of the bat and the availability of its prey.

    Reproduction

    • Breeding for the Greater Horseshoe bat occurs during the months of September and October. Female bats will give birth to a single infant after a pregnancy of around 75 days. The infant is born into the overlapped wings of the mother whilst she hangs upside down.

    Conservation

    • It is estimated that the numbers of the Greater Horseshoe bat have fallen by up to 90 percent over the last century. Much of this decline has been attributed to changing farming practices, for example use of pesticides, as well as the loss of its natural habitat and roosting locations. The Greater Horseshoe bat is listed as Lower Risk by the 2000 IUCN Red List